Lucas Dreamkiller

Hey all, I signed up a good while ago, but never really became active. I’ve decided to change that.

Star Wars was the first film I ever saw in the theaters, way, way back on opening day in May of 1977. I wasn’t yet six years old. While it looks a good bit different, I even remember the place. The movie plex at the Brookfield Square Mall in Brookfield, WI. Curiously, waiting in line for the show with my Dad remains my oldest memory (Mom wasn’t interested in that “space movie”–yet. She changed her tune!). I distinctly recall standing between these long maroon-colored nylon ribbons, which stretched seemingly forever. When we got inside, and sat down with our popcorn and drinks, my little legs dangling off the side of the seat, there was this air of anticipation. Every atom in my body seemed to be on fire, and when the Fox fanfare played as the lights dimmed (no ten minutes of trailers back then), and John Williams’ iconic score played, and that glorious golden text scroll disappeared at the top of the screen, and the camera panned down to Tatooine, with Princess Leia’s cruiser chased by the Imperial Destroyer, it seemed as if the oxygen had been sucked out of the room. My little mind raced, and on that day, a lifelong love of film was born. Some 45 years later, my film collection is absolutely massive. But Star Wars is special to me. To quote C-3PO, George, “this is all your fault.”

While I certainly understand the angst (for lack of a better word) that has built over the years with all of his tinkering, I still have a real fondness for the man, and the world he introduced to us. And while I may be in the minority, they are his creations, and I feel he should have the right to make changes as he sees fit, provided that the original versions of the films are also available. And that’s where Harmy’s work comes in, for me. I have the Despecialized v2.5 of Star Wars (I can’t ever call it “A New Hope”. Ugh). I would like to get the latest release of each of the original trilogy.

So, my journey begins!

Cheers, all, and May the Force Be With You! Bill